Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, I am not in a position at this moment to supply details other than to say that, immediately upon recognition of the incident, our people were on the scene and have been there since. They are working in full co-operation with the environmental and health and welfare people. From Canada's point of view, we have developed an action plan. When additional, detailed and accurate information is received from the environmental and health authorities, we will implement whatever action is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Canadian consumer. We will also be involved if the area is designated a disaster area. If sufficient funds are provided to trigger the federal-provincial agreement, then Agriculture Canada will be fully involved on behalf of farmers and consumers.

August 25, 1988

Ora! Questions

Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, if the Hon. Member is fair, I think he would withdraw the final part of that comment. This Government has not in the past and will not in the future ignore Canadian farm problems. I challenge him to examine the record. To date we have taken some 660 initiatives delivering over $10 billion. That is a record that is unchallenged in the past.

I recognize that some general farm organizations have some difficulty with the bilateral trade agreement. However, if we look to see what the commodity organizations are saying about the agreement, we find that there are about 100,000 grain farmers in the country who support the agreement. There are about 80,000 beef farmers in the country who support the agreement. There are about 70,000 hog farmers in Canada who support the agreement.

Supply management is secure. Since we went forward with the amendments to the CAPS Act that the previous Government did not have the courage to proceed with, there are about

25,000 horticultural people who recognize that the bilateral trade agreement is in their interest.

Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, I think the Hon. Member must also appreciate the fact that the federal Government stays out of the day-to-day operations of the Canadian Wheat Board. The Canadian Wheat Board does not tell our grain customers where to buy their grain.

The Hon. Member might take some satisfaction from a copy of a telex I have here. It is signed by the Commissioner of the Canadian Wheat Board. It states: "I can assure you that we are continuing to pursue all possible marketing opportunities".

Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, I am very much aware of the recent statement issued by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. I have to take issue with certain of their observations because I think they are false. The future picture of the agri-food marketing systems and supply management in Canada is not in jeopardy at all because they are secure under the bilateral trade agreement.

They also challenge the integrity of the Canadian Wheat Board. I believe that is false. They also made some observations about the quality standards of Canadian agriculture commodities. They are not in jeopardy at all.

They recognize as well that we have to take some action to tie up some loose ends. I recognize that, particularly as it relates to the hatching egg industry. We have given a commitment to that industry and we have fulfilled our commitments to the agricultural industry in the past. We have every intention of fulfilling the commitments in the future, including many that are mentioned here.

Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture):

We have not reached a final decision on that particular issue, Mr. Speaker.